Adam Boehler’s direct Hamas talks drew sharp criticism from many quarters in Israel and the US. With impertinence and arrogance, the preening Jew — an ex-roommate of Jared Kushner — committed a useries of slip-ups and flip-flops. A belated forced half-apology only aggravated his gaslighting.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized envoy Adam Boehler’s direct engagement with Hamas officials as a “one-off situation” that “has yet to yield results.”did not produce fruit.” This unprecedented move raised concerns within diplomatic circles, given Boehler’s limited experience and clear incompetence to handle such high-stakes negotiations.​

The Jewish Boehler, 51, hails from Albany, New York. He graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. During his college years, Boehler was a summer roommate of Jared Kushner, with whom he later collaborated on initiatives like Operation Warp Speed.​

Despite his impressive credentials, Boehler’s foray into Middle East diplomacy has been criticized harshly. David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel, penned a critical op-ed titled “Meet Adam Boehler, Trump’s complacent, confused and dangerously naive hostage envoy,” highlighting the envoy’s naivety in dealing with Hamas.

Horovitz wrote, “In his arrogance and staggering ignorance of Middle Eastern complexities, Boehler has behaved like a dangerously naive trainee—wet behind the ears, heedless of the damage he might cause.” ​

Horovitz further criticized Boehler’s lack of prior diplomatic experience, arguing his business acumen is no substitute for seasoned diplomatic expertise: “Boehler might have excelled at investment banking and health-tech deals, but nothing in his resume prepared him for the brutal intricacies of hostage negotiation with terrorists.” ​

Boehler’s direct talks with Hamas have not yielded the desired outcomes, prompting Rubio to reaffirm that future negotiations will be led by seasoned diplomats. This incident underscores the challenges inherent in navigating the intricate landscape of Middle East diplomacy and the perils of inexperience in such a volatile arena.​

The Israeli government expressed concerns over Boehler’s direct talks with Hamas, fearing that such actions could undermine their negotiating position. Israeli officials were reportedly frustrated by the lack of coordination, viewing the move as potentially weakening their stance in ongoing negotiations. ​

Concurrently, Israel has dispatched negotiators to Doha to engage in mediated talks with Hamas—the first such engagement since President Trump assumed office. These discussions aim to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas following their attack on Israel in October 2023. Steve Witkoff is expected to join these critical negotiations, underscoring their significance. ​

In an effort to exert pressure on Hamas, Israel has implemented measures such as cutting off electricity to Gaza, a move that has exacerbated humanitarian concerns. This action primarily affects a desalination plant serving over two million residents, raising alarms about potential violations of international humanitarian law. ​

Families of the hostages have publicly urged the Israeli government to expedite negotiations for their loved ones’ release. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to grant negotiators a “full mandate” to secure the immediate release of all 59 hostages in a single phase, warning that delays could further endanger lives.

That’s not going to happen. But Witkoff and the Israeli delegation see some “readiness” to do a deal of an additional 42 to 60 days of ceasefire for the release of about 10 live hostages in advance.